2012 Young Masters
Eric Bowser, Music (Violin), Regional Catholic High School, Center Point
Brendan Carrillo, Music (Double Bass), Midway High School, Waco
Michelle Garcia, Dance, High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Cypress
Mia Gerachis, Musical Theatre, Episcopal High School, Houston
Christian Kay, Music (Cello), Kings Academy Christian School, Tyler
Reagan Lukefahr, Theatre, High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Houston
Mason Manning, Dance, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing
& Visual Arts, McKinney
Cesar Martinez, Media Arts / Film, International School of the Americas, San Antonio
Ani Mayo, Dance, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts,Plano
Annyston Pennington, Literature, Amarillo High School, Amarillo
Shilpa Sadagopan, Music (Voice), High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Pearland
Eun “Susan” Seo, Visual Arts, Colleyville Heritage High School, Euless
Michael Stromile, Dance, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Dallas
Morgan Tao, Visual Arts, Alvin High School, Rosharon
Laurel Thornburg, Visual Arts, High School for the Performing & Visual Arts, Houston
Special thanks to Ray Benson, Bob Schneider, and our sponsors for their generous support of the Young Masters Scholarship Program
Karen & Charles Matthews
Susie & John Adams
Anita & Truman Arnold
Cathey and Don Humphreys
Patricia & The Honorable David Dewhurst
Dawn & Harry Leatherwood
Frost Bank
Sandra & Bill Gilliland
Guillermo Nicolas
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University
Judy & Kirk Robison
Dian & Harlan Stai
Suann & AJ Waight
Sherrill & Roger Winter
Janice & Spencer Youngblood
Olivia & George Bramblett
Diane Creel
Bruce Busby
John Hever
James Muncey
Program Founders:
AT&T
Applied Materials
Anheuser Busch
BNSF Railway
Emerson
The Honorable David Dewhurst
Ray C. Fish Foundation
Mrs. Gene Jones
Mr. George Mitchell
Mrs. W.D. Noel
Debbie and John Montford of the Plum Foundation
Raytheon
Media Sponsor:
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Christopher Vo
Class of 2002, Dance
Christopher Vo had never traveled outside of the Dallas Metroplex until he received a Young Master’s scholarship award. As a result of his Young Masters training during summers at the Juliard School dance program in New York, Chris was accepted as a freshman on full scholarship.
The Young Masters,a joint program of the Texas Cultural Trust and the Texas Commission on the Arts, helps children who might otherwise not have the opportunity to expand their unique talents in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and the literary arts. The program is available to outstanding students in grades 8 through 11, and creates a mentoring relationship between the student and the instructor. Scholarships of $2500 per year are provided to successful applicants for a period of two years. The Young Masters program nurtures our rising starts to become the legends of tomorrow.
Katie Pipkin
Class of 2008, Visual Arts
“There is a point between adolescence and adulthood where one retains the creativity and delight of the first, without having to feel the full weight of the obligations and worries of the latter. For me, this period coincided with my first realization of the power of the arts; that they, unlike any other practice or profession, have an ability to move a great number of people simply on their own being.”
Caitlin Tully
Class of 2004, Music
Violinist Caitlin Tully of Austin, Texas, made her debut with the Vancouver Symphony at young age of ten, displaying a musical maturity and inspiration far beyond her years. Upon hearing her Yehudi Menuhin said, “She plays with more integrity than any young violinist I have ever heard.” Now at the age of seventeen, Ms. Tully performs with orchestras and in recitals across Canada and the United States.
Charles Yang
Class of 2004, Music
Sixteen year-old Charles Yang, a sophomore at Westlake High School in Austin, began studying the violin with his mother. “Violin is like caffeine to me,” says young Charles Yang. “I’m addicted to it!” You might say Charles was born to play violin. His mom — a violinist with the Austin Symphony — was onstage playing in a concert only hours before giving birth to him. Shortly after he came into the world, Charles instinctively took to the violin.
Click here for a complete list of Young Master’s recipients.
